Grindwell, Inc., a manufacturer of grinding tools, is concerned about the durability of its products, which depends
on the permeability of the sinter mixtures used in production. Suspecting that the carbon content might be the source of the problem, the plant manager collected the following data:
Carbon Content (%)
|
Permeability Index
|
5.5
|
16
|
3.0
|
31
|
4.5
|
21
|
4.8
|
19
|
4.2 16
|
4.7 23
|
5.1
|
20
|
4.4
|
11
|
3.6 20
|
a. Draw a scatter diagram for these data.
b. Is there a relationship between permeability and carbon content?
c. If low permeability is desirable, what does the scatter diagram suggest with regard to the carbon content?
The operations manager for Superfast Airlines at Chicago's O'Hare Airport noticed an increase in the number of delayed flight departures. She brainstormed possible causes with her staff:
Aircraft late to gate
Acceptance of late passengers
Passengers arriving late at gate
Passenger processing delays at gate
Late baggage to aircraft
Other late personnel or unavailable items
Mechanical failures
Draw a cause-and-effect diagram to organize the possible causes of delayed flight departures into the following maj categories: equipment, personnel, material, procedures, and "other factors" beyond managerial control. Provide a detailed set of causes for each major cause identified by operations manager, and incorporate them in your causeand-effect diagram.